The Township collects a dedicated police protection levy and contracts with the Union County Sheriff's Office to provide additional police protection within the Township.  Public Safety Officers are sworn deputy sheriffs who patrol the Township to provide this protection.

Jerome Township has had such a program since 1998.  The initial program began with a federal grant.  Under the program, Jerome Township is responsible for the salary and benefits of the Deputies and the Sheriffs Office, with the County Commissioners' support, provides funding for vehicles, equipment, training, and supplies for the Deputies.  

Jerome Township has contracted with the Union County Sheriff to provide dedicated police protection to the Township.  "Dedicated" means these Deputies do not normally take calls outside of their assigned area unless they are providing back-up support to Deputies who need assistance. "Dedicated service" reduces the response time it takes for a Deputy to respond to a call for service in the Township because the Deputy is already in the Township.

What is the advantage of having additional dedicated police protection in our Township versus a township that does not have such additional protection? The additional personnel provided through this program allows the Sheriffs Office to provide more services to the Township citizens.

Deputies preform the following services:

• Police protection
• More visibility to deter crime in the area
• Devote more time to resident complaints
• Traffic enforcement
• Senior Watch
• Project Life Saver
• School Safety Resource Officer
• Ability to focus on Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving